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Baroness Jowell, who has died aged 70, was the Labour Culture Secretary who persuaded colleagues to support a London bid for the 2012 Olympics, oversaw preparations for the Games, then helped deliver a “happy and glorious” Olympics as a member of the organising committee.

Until Tessa Jowell took up the Olympic torch, she seemed set to be remembered as a conscientious frontbencher with feminist leanings and a background in social work. Yet the high profile she gained working with Lord Coe, Tony Blair and others to secure the Games had its downside.

Her second husband, David Mills, was a solicitor with controversial clients – notably Silvio Berlusconi – and the effect on her reputation of allegations...